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Aug 11, Office of Readings – Memorial for Clare, V

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV:
Ordinary: 615
Psalter: Thursday, Week III, Page 1025
Common of Virgins: 1791 (verse before the readings)
Proper of Seasons: 104 (first reading)
Proper of Saints: 1310 (Second reading, concluding prayer)

Christian Prayer:
Does not contain Office of Readings

Office of Readings for Thursday in Ordinary Time, for the Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

HYMN

Blessed are the poor of heart,
Blessed are the merciful,
For they will be blessed upon the earth.
Blessed are the poor!

Blessed are they who suffer,
Blessed are they who are persecuted,
For they shall be the rulers of the world.
Blessed are the poor!

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst
For justice and the rights of all,
For they shall eat the meal of the Lord.
Blessed are the poor!

Blessed are they whose hearts are clean
And blessed are they who keep his word,
For they have inherited the land.
Blessed are the poor!

Blessed are they who labor for peace,
Blessed are they who suffer in war,
For they shall meet the Prince of Peace.
Blessed are the poor!

Text: Enrico Garzilli, 1970; Blessed are the Poor of Heart © copyright Enrico Garzilli 1970, 2007
Click here to purchase “Blest Are The Pure in Heart” by Wells Cathedral Choir

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Look on us, Lord, and see how we are despised.

Psalm 89
Lament for the fall of David’s dynasty
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior born of the house of David his servant (Luke 1:69).

And yet you have rejected and spurned
and are angry with the one you have anointed.
You have broken your covenant with your servant
and dishonored his crown in the dust.

You have broken down all his walls
and reduced his fortresses to ruins.
He is despoiled by all who pass by:
he has become the taunt of his neighbors.

You have exalted the right hand of his foes;
you have made all his enemies rejoice.
You have made his sword give way,
you have not upheld him in battle.

You have brought his glory to an end;
you have hurled his throne to the ground.
You have cut short the years of his youth;
you have heaped disgrace upon him.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Look on us, Lord, and see how we are despised.

Ant. 2 I am the root and stock of David; I am the morning star.

How long, O Lord? Will you hide yourself for ever?
How long will your anger burn like a fire?
Remember, Lord, the shortness of my life
and how frail you have made the sons of men.
What man can live and never see death?
Who can save himself from the grasp of the grave?

Where are your mercies of the past, O Lord,
which you have sworn in your faithfulness to David?
Remember, Lord, how your servant is taunted,
how I have to bear all the insults of the peoples.
Thus your enemies taunt me, O Lord,
mocking your anointed at every step.

Blessed be the Lord for ever. Amen, amen!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord, God of mercy and fidelity, you made a new and lasting pact with men and sealed it in the blood of your Son. Forgive the folly of our disloyalty and make us keep your commandments, so that in your new covenant we may be witnesses and heralds of your faithfulness and love on earth, and sharers of your glory in heaven.

Ant. I am the root and stock of David; I am the morning star.

Ant. 3 Our years wither away like grass, but you, Lord God, are eternal.

Psalm 90
May we live in the radiance of God
There is no time with God: a thousand years, a single day: it is all one (2 Peter 3:8).

O Lord, you have been our refuge
from one generation to the next.
Before the mountains were born
or the earth or the world brought forth,
you are God, without beginning or end.

You turn men back into dust
and say: “Go back, sons of men.”
To your eyes a thousand years
are like yesterday, come and gone,
no more than a watch in the night.

You sweep men away like a dream,
like grass which springs up in the morning.
In the morning it springs up and flowers:
by evening it withers and fades.

So we are destroyed in your anger,
struck with terror in your fury.
Our guilt lies open before you;
our secrets in the light of your face.

All our days pass away in your anger.
Our life is over like a sigh.
Our span is seventy years
or eighty for those who are strong.

And most of these are emptiness and pain.
They pass swiftly and we are gone.
Who understands the power of your anger
and fears the strength of your fury?

Make us know the shortness of our life
that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Lord, relent! Is your anger for ever?
Show pity to your servants.

In the morning, fill us with your love;
we shall exult and rejoice all our days.
Give us joy to balance our affliction
for the years when we knew misfortune.

Show forth your work to your servants;
let your glory shine on their children.
Let the favor of the Lord be upon us:
give success to the work of our hands,
give success to the work of our hands.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Eternal Father, you give us life despite our guilt and even add days and years to our lives in order to bring us wisdom. Make us love and obey you, so that the works of our hands may always display what your hands have done, until the day we gaze upon the beauty of your face.

Ant. Our years wither away like grass, but you, Lord God, are eternal.

Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) – a moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church.

You have shown me how to live.
– You will fill me with joy in your presence.

READINGS

First reading
From the book of the prophet Micah
4:14–5:7
The Christ will be our peace

Thus says the Lord:
Now fence yourself in, Bat-gader!
“They have laid siege against us!”
With the rod they strike on the cheek
the ruler of Israel.
But you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah
too small to be among the clans of Judah,
From you shall come forth for me
one who is to be ruler in Israel;
Whose origin is from of old,
from ancient times.

(Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time
when she who is to give birth has borne,
And the rest of his brethren shall return
to the children of Israel.)
He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock
by the strength of the Lord,
in the majestic name of the Lord, his God;
And they shall remain, for now his greatness
shall reach to the ends of the earth;
he shall be peace.

If Assyria invades our country
and treads upon our land,
We shall raise against it seven shepherds,
eight men of royal rank;
And they shall tend the land of Assyria with the sword,
and the land of Nimrod with the drawn sword;
And we shall be delivered from Assyria,
if it invades our land
and treads upon our borders.

The remnant of Jacob shall be
in the midst of many peoples,
Like dew coming from the Lord,
like raindrops on the grass,
Which wait for no man,
nor tarry for the sons of men.
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations,
in the midst of many peoples,
Like a lion among beasts of the forest,
like a young lion among flocks of sheep;
When it passes through, it tramples
and tears, and there is none to deliver.

RESPONSORY Micah 5:2, 4, 5; Zechariah 9:10

Bethlehem, city of God Most High,
from you will come forth a ruler for Israel,
one whose origin will go back to the distant past,
to ancient times.
His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth,
– and he will be our peace.

He will proclaim peace to the nations;
his dominion will extend from sea to sea.
– And he will be our peace.

Second reading
From a letter to Blessed Agnes of Prague by Saint Clare, virgin
Behold the poverty, humility and love of Christ

Happy indeed is she who is granted a place at the divine banquet, for she may cling with her inmost heart to him whose beauty eternally awes the blessed hosts of heaven; to him whose love inspires love, whose contemplation refreshes, whose generosity satisfies, whose gentleness delights, whose memory shines sweetly as the dawn; to him whose fragrance revives the dead, and whose glorious vision will bless all the citizens of that heavenly Jerusalem. For he is the splendor of eternal glory, the brightness of eternal light, and the mirror without cloud.

Queen and bride of Jesus Christ, look into the mirror daily and study well your reflection, that you may adorn yourself, mind and body, with an enveloping garment of every virtue, and thus find yourself attired in flowers and gowns befitting the daughter and most chaste bride of the king on high. In this mirror blessed poverty, holy humility and ineffable love are also reflected. With the grace of God the whole mirror will be your source of contemplation.

Behold, I say, the birth of this mirror. Behold his poverty even as he was laid in the manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes. What wondrous humility, what marvelous poverty! The King of angels, the Lord of heaven and earth resting in a manger! Look more deeply into the mirror and meditate on his humility, or simply on his poverty. Behold the many labors and sufferings he endured to redeem the human race. Then, in the depths of this very mirror, ponder his unspeakable love which caused him to suffer on the wood of the cross and to endure the most shameful kind of death. The mirror himself, from his position on the cross, warned passersby to weigh carefully this act, as he said: All of you who pass by this way, behold and see if there is any sorrow like mine. Let us answer his cries and lamentations with one voice and one spirit: I will be mindful and remember, and my soul will be consumed within me. In this way, queen of the king of heaven, your love will burn with an ever brighter flame.

Consider also his indescribable delights, his unending riches and honors, and sigh for what is beyond your love and heart’s content as you cry out: Draw me on! We will run after you in the perfume of your ointment, heavenly spouse. Let me run and not faint until you lead me into your wine cellar; your left hand rests under my head, your right arm joyfully embraces me, and you kiss me with the sweet kiss of your lips. As you rest in this state of contemplation, remember your poor mother and know that I have indelibly written your happy memory into my heart, for you are dearer to me than all the others.

RESPONSORY Psalm 73:26; Philippians 3:8, 9

Though my flesh and my heart may fail,
– God is my strength and my portion for ever.

I count all that this world offers as worthless, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.
– God is my strength and my portion for ever.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

God of mercy,
you inspired Saint Clare with the love of poverty.
By the help of her prayers
may we follow Christ in poverty of spirit
and come to the joyful vision of your glory
in the kingdom of heaven.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community)

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

Aug 11, Morning Prayer – Memorial for Clare, V

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III:
Ordinary: 654
Psalter: Thursday, Week III, Page 1065
Common of Virgins: 1800 (Reading, Ant. for Canticle of Zechariah, Intercessions)
Proper of Saints: 1312 (Concluding prayer)

Christian Prayer:
Ordinary: 689
Psalter: Thursday, Week III, Page 896
Common of Virgins: 1441 (Reading, Ant. for Canticle of Zechariah, Intercessions)
Proper of Saints: 1312 (Concluding prayer)

Morning Prayer for Thursday in Ordinary Time, for the Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

HYMN

Amen! Truly I say to you:
Gather in my name, I am with you.

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Blessed are the gentle,
they shall inherit the land.

Amen! Truly I say to you:
Gather in my name, I am with you.

Blessed are they who mourn,
they shall be consoled.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice,
the justice of God shall be theirs.

Amen! Truly I say to you:
Gather in my name, I am with you.

Blessed are the merciful,
mercy shall be shown to them.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
they shall see God.

Amen! Truly I say to you:
Gather in my name, I am with you.

Blessed are those who bring peace,
they shall be children of God.

Blessed are those who suffer in the cause of Christ,
the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Amen! Truly I say to you:
Gather in my name, I am with you.
Gather in my name, I am with you.

The Beatitudes performed by Noirin Ni Riain; Text: adapted from Matthew 5:3-11.
Click here to purchase this hymn

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Glorious things are said of you, O city of God.

Psalm 87
Jerusalem is mother of us all
The heavenly Jerusalem is a free woman; she is our mother (Galatians 4:26).

On the holy mountain is his city
cherished by the Lord.
The Lord prefers the gates of Zion
to all Jacob’s dwellings.
Of you are told glorious things,
O city of God!

“Babylon and Egypt I will count
among those who know me;
Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia,
these will be her children
and Zion shall be called ‘Mother’
for all shall be her children.”

It is he, the Lord Most High,
who gives each his place.
In his register of peoples he writes:
“These are her children,”
and while they dance they will sing:
“In you all find their home.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord God, your only son wept over ancient Jerusalem, soon to be destroyed for its lack of faith. He established the new Jerusalem firmly upon rock and made it the mother of the faithful. Make us rejoice in your Church and grant that all people may be reborn into the freedom of your Spirit.

Ant. Glorious things are said of you, O city of God.

Ant. 2 The Lord, the mighty conqueror, will come; he will bring with him the prize of victory.

Canticle – Isaiah 40:10-17
The Good Shepherd: God most high and most wise
See, I come quickly; I have my reward in hand (Revelation 22:12).

Here comes with power
the Lord God,
who rules by his strong arm;
here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.

Like a shepherd he feeds his flock;
in his arms he gathers the lambs,
Carrying them in his bosom,
and leading the ewes with care.

Who has cupped in his hand the waters of the sea,
and marked off the heavens with a span?
Who has held in a measure the dust of the earth,
weighed the mountains in scales
and the hills in a balance?

Who has directed the spirit of the Lord,
or has instructed him as his counselor?
Whom did he consult to gain knowledge?
Who taught him the path of judgment,
or showed him the way of understanding?

Behold, the nations count as a drop of the bucket,
as dust on the scales;
the coastlands weigh no more than powder.

Lebanon would not suffice for fuel,
nor its animals be enough for holocausts.
Before him all the nations are as nought,
as nothing and void he accounts them.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Lord, the mighty conqueror, will come; he will bring with him the prize of victory.

Ant. 3 Give praise to the Lord our God, bow down before his holy mountain.

Psalm 99
Holy is the Lord our God
Christ, higher than the Cherubim, when you took our lowly nature you transformed our sinful world (Saint Athanasius).

The Lord is king; the peoples tremble.
He is throned on the cherubim; the earth quakes.
The Lord is great in Zion.

He is supreme over all the peoples.
Let them praise his name, so terrible and great.
He is holy, full of power.

You are a king who loves what is right;
you have established equity, justice and right;
you have established them in Jacob.

Exalt the Lord our God;
bow down before Zion, his footstool.
He the Lord is holy.

Among his priests were Aaron and Moses,
among those who invoked his name was Samuel.
They invoked the Lord and he answered.

To them he spoke in the pillar of cloud.
They did his will; they kept the law,
which he, the Lord, had given.

O Lord our God, you answered them.
For them you were a God who forgives;
yet you punished all their offenses.

Exalt the Lord our God;
bow down before his holy mountain
for the Lord our God is holy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

God, you are the source of all holiness. Though no one can see you and live, you give life most generously and in an even greater way restore it. Sanctify your priests through your life-giving Word and consecrate your people in his blood until our eyes see your face.

Ant. Give praise to the Lord our God, bow down before his holy mountain.

READING Song of Songs 8:7

Deep waters cannot quench love,
nor floods sweep it away.
Were one to offer all he owns to purchase love,
he would be roundly mocked.

RESPONSORY

My heart is ever pleading, show me your face.
– My heart is ever pleading, show me your face.

I long to gaze upon you, Lord.
– show me your face.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– My heart is ever pleading, show me your face.

CANTICLE OF ZECHARIAH

Ant. Now this wise virgin has gone to Christ. Among the choirs of virgins she is radiant as the sun in the heavens.

Luke 1:68-79
The Messiah and his forerunner

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Now this wise virgin has gone to Christ. Among the choirs of virgins she is radiant as the sun in the heavens.

INTERCESSIONS

Christ is the spouse and crowning glory of virgins: let us praise him with joy in our voices and pray to him with sincerity in our hearts.
– Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.

Christ, the holy virgins loved you as their one true spouse:
grant that nothing may separate us from your love.
– Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.

You crowned Mary, your mother, queen of virgins:
through her intercession, let us continually serve you with pure hearts.
– Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.

Your handmaidens were always careful to love you with whole and undivided attention, that they might be holy in body and spirit:
through their intercession grant that the lure of this passing world may not distract our attention from you.
– Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.

Lord Jesus, you are the spouse whose coming was anticipated by the wise virgins:
grant that we may wait for you in hope and expectation.
– Jesus, crown of virgins, hear us.

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Concluding Prayer

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.

Aug 11, Daytime Prayer for Thursday of the 19th week of Ordinary Time

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III:
Ordinary: Page 659
All from the Psalter: Wednesday, Week III, Page 1071 (Midday)

Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV:
Ordinary: Page 623
All from the Psalter: Wednesday, Week III, Page 1035 (Midday)

Daytime Prayer for Thursday in Ordinary Time

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

HYMN

Firmly I believe and truly
God is three and God is one;
And I next acknowledge duly
Manhood taken by the Son

And I trust and hope most fully
In that manhood crucified;
And I love supremely, solely
Christ who for my sins has died.

And I hold in veneration,
For the love of him alone,
Holy Church as his creation,
And her teachings as his own.

Praise and thanks be ever given
With and through the angel host,
To the God of earth and heaven,
Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Melody: Halton Holgate 87.87; Music: William Boyce, 1710-1779; Text: John Henry Newman, 1801-1890, adapted by Anthony G. Petti; © 1971 by Faber Music Ltd, London. Reproduced by kind permission of the publishers. All Rights Reserved.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Receive me, Lord, according to your promise, that I may live.

Psalm 119:113-120
XV (Samech)

I have no love for half-hearted men:
my love is for your law.
You are my shelter, my shield;
I hope in your word.

Leave me, you who do evil;
I will keep God’s command.
If you uphold me by your promise I shall live;
let my hopes not be in vain.

Sustain me and I shall be saved
and ever observe your commands.
You spurn all who swerve from your statutes;
their cunning is in vain.

You throw away the wicked like dross:
so I love your will.
I tremble before you in terror;
I fear your decrees.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Help us and we shall be saved, Lord God; leave us and we are doomed. May you remain with us always so that the fullness of life may be ours.

Ant. Receive me, Lord, according to your promise, that I may live.

Ant. 2 Help us, O God our Savior, and pardon all our sins.

Psalm 79:1-5, 8-11, 13
Lament for Jerusalem
If only you had known what would bring you peace (Luke 19:42).

O God, the nations have invaded our land,
they have profaned your holy temple.
They have made Jerusalem a heap of ruins.
They have handed over the bodies of your servants
as food to feed the birds of heaven
and the flesh of your faithful to the beasts of the earth.

They have poured out blood like water in Jerusalem;
no one is left to bury the dead.
We have become the taunt of our neighbors,
the mockery and scorn of those who surround us.
How long, O Lord? Will you be angry for ever,
how long will your anger burn like fire?

Do not hold the guilt of our fathers against us.
Let your compassion hasten to meet us;
we are left in the depths of distress.
O God our savior, come to our help,
come for the sake of the glory of your name.

O Lord our God, forgive us our sins;
rescue us for the sake of your name.
Why should the nations say:
“Where is their God?”
Let us see the nations around us repaid
with vengeance for the blood of your servants that was shed!
Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
let your strong arm reprieve those condemned to die.

But we, your people, the flock of your pasture,
will give you thanks for ever and ever.
We will tell your praise from age to age.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, shepherd of your Church, in order to strengthen our faith and to lead us to the kingdom, you renewed and far surpassed the marvels of the old law. Through the uncertainties of this earthly journey, lead us home to the everlasting pastures.

Ant. Help us, O God our Savior, and pardon all our sins.

Ant. 3 O God of power, look down from heaven and come to tend this vine.

Psalm 80
Lord, come to tend your vineyard
Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20).

O shepherd of Israel, hear us,
you who lead Joseph’s flock,
shine forth from your cherubim throne
upon Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh.
O Lord, rouse up your might,
O Lord, come to our help.

God of hosts, bring us back;
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

Lord God of hosts, how long
will you frown on your people’s plea?
You have fed them with tears for their bread,
an abundance of tears for their drink.
You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,
our enemies laugh us to scorn.

God of hosts, bring us back;
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

You brought a vine out of Egypt;
to plant it you drove out the nations.
Before it you cleared the ground;
it took root and spread through the land.

The mountains were covered with its shadow,
the cedars of God with its boughs.
It stretched out its branches to the sea,
to the Great River it stretched out its shoots.

Then why have you broken down its walls?
It is plucked by all who pass by.
It is ravaged by the boar of the forest,
devoured by the beasts of the field.

God of hosts, turn again, we implore,
look down from heaven and see.
Visit this vine and protect it,
the vine your right hand has planted.
Men have burnt it with fire and destroyed it.
May they perish at the frown on your face.

May your hand be on the man you have chosen,
the man you have given your strength.
And we shall never forsake you again:
give us life that we may call upon your name.

God of hosts, bring us back;
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord God, eternal Shepherd, you so tend the vineyard you planted that now it extends its branches even to the farthest coast. Look down on your Church and come to us. Help us to remain in your Son as branches on the vine that, planted firmly in your love, we may testify before the whole world to tour great power working everywhere.

Ant. O God of power, look down from heaven and come to tend this vine.

Reading Deuteronomy 4:7

What great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God, is to us whenever we call upon him?

The Lord is close to all who call upon him.
– He will answer their prayers.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

All-powerful and ever-living God,
with you there is no darkness,
from you nothing is hidden.
Fill us with the radiance of your light:
may we understand the law you have given us
and live it with generosity and faith.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.

ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community)

Let us praise the Lord.
– And give him thanks.

Aug 11, Evening Prayer – Memorial for Clare, V

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III:
Ordinary: 668
Psalter: Thursday, Week III, Page 1076
Common of Virgins: 1805 (Reading, Ant. for Canticle of Zechariah, Intercessions)
Proper of Saints: 1312 (Concluding prayer)

Christian Prayer:
Ordinary: 694
Psalter: Thursday, Week III, Page 901
Common of Virgins: 1442 (Reading, Ant. for Canticle of Mary, Intercessions)
Proper of Saints: 1224 (Concluding prayer)

Evening Prayer for Thursday in the Ordinary Time, for the Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

HYMN

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home.

Under the shadow of Thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while troubles last,
And our eternal home.

O God, Our Help in Ages Past by Sheffield Cathedral Choir; Words: Isaac Watts, 1719. Music: William Croft, 1708
“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” by Sheffield Cathedral Choir is available from Amazon.com

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 Let your holy people rejoice, O Lord, as they enter your dwelling place.

Psalm 132
God’s promises to the house of David
The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David (Luke 1:32).

O Lord, remember David
and all the many hardships he endured,
the oath he swore to the Lord,
his vow to the Strong One of Jacob.

“I will not enter the house where I live
nor go to the bed where I rest.
I will give no sleep to my eyes,
to my eyelids I will give no slumber
till I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling for the Strong One of Jacob.”

At Ephrathah we heard of the ark;
we found it in the plains of Yearim.
“Let us go to the place of his dwelling;
let us go to kneel at his footstool.”

Go up, Lord, to the place of your rest,
you and the ark of your strength.
Your priests shall be clothed with holiness:
your faithful shall ring out their joy.
For the sake of David your servant
do not reject your anointed.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Let your holy people rejoice, O Lord, as they enter your dwelling place.

Ant. 2 The Lord has chosen Zion as his sanctuary.

The Lord swore an oath to David;
he will not go back on his word;
“A son, the fruit of your body,
will I set upon your throne.

If they keep my covenant in truth
and my laws that I have taught them,
their sons also shall rule
on your throne from age to age.”

For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his dwelling:
“This is my resting-place for ever,
here have I chosen to live.

I will greatly bless her produce,
I will fill her poor with bread.
I will clothe her priests with salvation
and her faithful shall ring out their joy.

There David’s stock will flower:
I will prepare a lamp for my anointed.
I will cover his enemies with shame
but on him my crown shall shine.”

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Psalm-prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you chose to suffer and be overwhelmed by death in order to open the gates of death in triumph. Stay with us to help us on our pilgrimage; free us from all evil by the power of your resurrection. In the company of your saints, and constantly remembering your love for us, may we sing of your wonders in our Father’s house.

Ant. The Lord has chosen Zion as his sanctuary.

Ant. 3 The Father has given Christ all power, honor and kingship; all people will obey him.

Canticle – Revelation 11:17-18; 12:10b-12a
The judgment of God

We praise you, the Lord God Almighty,
who is and who was.
You have assumed your great power,
you have begun your reign.

The nations have raged in anger,
but then came your day of wrath
and the moment to judge the dead:
The time to reward your servants the prophets
and the holy ones who revere you,
the great and the small alike.

Now have salvation and power come,
the reign of our God and the authority
of his Anointed One.
For the accuser of our brothers is cast out,
who night and day accused them before God.

They defeated him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
love for life did not deter them from death.
So rejoice, you heavens,
and you that dwell therein!

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. The Father has given Christ all power, honor and kingship; all people will obey him.

READING 1 Corinthians 7:32b, 34

The unmarried man is busy with the Lord’s affairs, concerned with pleasing the Lord. The virgin—indeed, any unmarried woman—is concerned with things of the Lord, in pursuit of holiness in body and spirit.

RESPONSORY

The virgins are led into the presence of the King, amid gladness and joy.
– The virgins are led into the presence of the King, amid gladness and joy.

They are brought into the King’s dwelling-place,
– amid gladness and joy.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– The virgins are led into the presence of the King, amid gladness and joy.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Ant. Come, spouse of Christ, receive the crown the Lord has prepared for you from all eternity.

Luke 1:46-55
The soul rejoices in the Lord

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.

From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Come, spouse of Christ, receive the crown the Lord has prepared for you from all eternity.

INTERCESSIONS

Christ extolled those who practiced virginity for the sake of the kingdom. Let us praise him joyfully and pray to him:
– Jesus, example of virgins, hear us.

Christ, you presented the Church to yourself as a chaste virgin to her spouse,
keep her holy and inviolate.
– Jesus, example of virgins, hear us.

Christ, the holy virgins went out to meet you with their lamps alight,
keep the fidelity of your consecrated handmaids burning brightly.
– Jesus, example of virgins, hear us.

Lord, your virgin Church has always kept its faith whole and untarnished,
grant all Christians a whole and untarnished faith.
– Jesus, example of virgins, hear us.

You have admitted the holy virgins to your marriage banquet,
in your mercy lead the dead to your heavenly feast.
– Jesus, example of virgins, hear us.

Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Concluding Prayer

DISMISSAL

May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
– Amen.

Aug 11, Night Prayer for Thursday of the 19th week of Ordinary Time

Ribbon Placement:
Liturgy of the Hours:
Vol I, page 1183
Vol II, Page 1642
Vol III, Page 1283
Vol IV, Page 1247

Christian Prayer:
Page 1049

General instruction:
Please pray with us actively, especially by joining with us in saying antiphons and responses, most of which are indicated in this highlight.

Consider an examination of your own conscience before beginning to best make use of our time together in prayer.

Night Prayer for Thursday

God, come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
– as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia.

Examination of conscience:

We are called to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and to ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask for His strength to do better.

Lord Jesus raise us to new life:
Lord, have mercy
– Lord have mercy

Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins:
Christ, have mercy.
– Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus you feed us with your body and blood:
Lord, have mercy
– Lord have mercy

HYMN

O Lord my God! when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul! my Savior God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

”How Great Thou Art” by Melinda Kirigin-Voss; Originally this was a Swedish folk melody, “O Store Gud” by Carl Boberg (1859-1940) and was translated by Stuart K. Hine in 1899.
”How Great Thou Art” by Melinda Kirigin-Voss is available from Amazon.com.

PSALMODY

Ant. 1 In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.

Psalm 16
God is my portion, my inheritance
The Father raised up Jesus from the dead and broke the bonds of death (Acts 2:24).

Preserve me, God, I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord: “You are my God.
My happiness lies in you alone.”

He has put into my heart a marvelous love
for the faithful ones who dwell in his land.
Those who choose other gods increase their sorrows.
Never will I offer their offerings of blood.
Never will I take their name upon my lips.

O Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup;
it is you yourself who are my prize.
The lot marked out for me is my delight:
welcome indeed the heritage that falls to me!

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel,
who even at night directs my heart.
I keep the Lord ever in my sight:
since he is at my right hand, I shall stand firm.

And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad;
even my body shall rest in safety.
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead,
nor let your beloved know decay.

You will show me the path of life,
the fullness of joy in your presence,
at your right hand happiness for ever.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.

READING 1 Thessalonians 5:23

May the God of peace make you perfect in holiness. May he preserve you whole and entire, spirit, soul, and body, irreproachable at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

RESPONSORY

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
– I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.

Gospel Canticle

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Luke 2:29-32
Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be for ever. Amen.

Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.

Concluding Prayer

Lord God,
send peaceful sleep
to refresh our tired bodies.
May your help always renew us
and keep us strong in your service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
– Amen.

Blessing

May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death.
– Amen.

Antiphon or song in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (To the Greater Glory of God)

For: Thursday, August 11, 2011

19th Week in Ordinary Time

Memorial: St Clare, Virgin

From: Joshua 3:7-10a, 11, 13-17

Preparations for the crossing of the Jordan

[7] And the Lord said to Joshua, “This day I will begin to exalt you in the sight of
all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. [8]
And you shall command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, ‘When you
come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.’”

The waters of the Jordan cease to flow, and the people cross over

[9] And Joshua said to the people of Israel, “Come hither, and hear the words of
the Lord your God.” [10] And Joshua said, “Hereby you shall know that the living
God is among you. [11] Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth
is to pass over before you into the Jordan. [13] And when the soles of the feet of
the priests who bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the
waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan shall be stopped from flowing, and
the waters coming down from above shall stand in one heap.”

[14] So, when the people set out from their tends, to pass over the Jordan with
the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, [15] and when those
who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the
ark were dipped in the brink of the water (the Jordan overflows all its banks
throughout the time of harvest), [16] the waters coming down from above stood
and rose up in a heap far off, at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan, and those
flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were wholly cut off; and
the people passed over opposite Jericho. [17] And while all Israel were passing
over on dry ground, the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood
on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, until all the nation passing over the Jor-
dan.

*********************************************************************************************
Commentary:

3:1-8. We now come to episodes connected with Gilgal, a place on the banks
of the Jordan close to Jericho, where there would later be an important Israelite
shrine. The ark of the Covenant begins to play its role in guiding the people, as
it had already done at some points on the trek through Sinai (cf. Num 10:33-36).
This amounts to saying that it is God himself who is showing his people how to
go about the take-over of the promised land. Moses in his time ordered the peo-
ple to sanctify themselves in the presence of God’s revelation on Sinai (cf. Ex
10:14); now Joshua tells them to do the same; they are going to witness a great
manifestation of God’s power – the division of the Jordan waters to let them pass
(v. 5).

The events that will now be recounted bring to an end the story of the people’s
pilgrimage in the desert. For that reason the great events of the Exodus are now
revisited: when the Israelites were being oppressed in Egypt, the Lord revealed
himself to Moses, to have him guide his people towards deliverance (Ex 3:1-20);
when Moses returned to Egypt with his wife and sons to speak to the pharaoh,
his son’s circumcision took place (Ex 4:24-26); when the Israelites were getting
ready to leave Egypt, the Passover was celebrated (Ex 12:1-51); when they
crossed the Red Sea, they could see that they were at last free from their op-
pressors (Ex 14: 15-31) and they set out on their trek through the desert, where
they were nourished with the manna (5:10-12). That pilgrimage eventually comes
to an end, and after crossing the Jordan (3:9-4:24) and circumcising all the males
(5:2-9), they will celebrate the Passover in the promised land and manna will no
longer be provided (5:10-12); finally, God will show himself to Joshua at the start
of the siege of Jericho (5:13-14).

This narrative of events prior to the occupation of the promised land is not simply
a repeat of what happened when the Israelites were leaving Egypt. It is a written
account of new events which show that God continues to work for his people in
a new historical situation. The fact that events follow the pattern of the Exodus is
a source of hope at other points in the history of the people. Later on, during the
Babylonian captivity, Israel will draw from its memory of the Exodus strength to
trust in God and encouragement to prepare for a return journey. This is why all
generations of believers can nourish their hope in the saving and liberating power
of God, who never abandons his own, for “Christian hope takes up and fulfils the
hope of the chosen people” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1819).

3:9-17. Guided by Joshua, Moses’ successor, the people relive the marvels of the
Exodus. The sacred author couches his account of the crossing of the Jordan in
liturgical and festive terms, as if the people were in a huge procession led by the
ark of the Covenant, making their way into the promised land. This reinforces the
idea that the conquest of Canaan is the Lord’s doing and it stresses how joyful
the people are because they realize that God is with them.

The crossing of the Red Sea marked the climax of the Israelites’ deliverance from
servitude – and it was the Lord’s doing; in the conquest of Canaan, the crossing
of the Jordan, again under God’s protection is the key event. When the Israelites
were leaving Egypt, God’s presence was manifested by his angel and by a pillar
of cloud which moved along with them (Ex 14:19); the ark of the Covenant, the
symbol of commitments made by God and the people, plays a similar role here.

The crossing of the Jordan will be seen in Christian tradition as an image of Bap-
tism: “Baptism is prefigured in the crossing of the Jordan by which the People of
God received the gift of the land promised to Abraham’s descendants, an image
of eternal life. The promise of this blessed inheritance is fulfilled in the New Cove-
nant” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1222).

The words “the living God is among you” (v. 10) are full of meaning: the true God
is the only “living God”, that is, the God “who gives life and intervenes in history”
(ibid., 2112).

*********************************************************************************************
Source: “The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries”. Biblical text from the
Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries by members of
the Faculty of Theology, University of Navarre, Spain.

Matthew
	English: Douay-Rheims	Latin: Vulgata Clementina	Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000)
	Matthew 18
21.	Then came Peter unto him and said: Lord, how often shall my brother offend against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?	Tunc accedens Petrus ad eum, dixit : Domine, quoties peccabit in me frater meus, et dimittam ei ? usque septies ?	τοτε προσελθων αυτω ο πετρος ειπεν κυριε ποσακις αμαρτησει εις εμε ο αδελφος μου και αφησω αυτω εως επτακις
22.	Jesus saith to him: I say not to thee, till seven times; but till seventy times seven times.	Dicit illi Jesus : Non dico tibi usque septies : sed usque septuagies septies.	λεγει αυτω ο ιησους ου λεγω σοι εως επτακις αλλ εως εβδομηκοντακις επτα
23.	Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a king, who would take an account of his servants.	Ideo assimilatum est regnum cælorum homini regi, qui voluit rationem ponere cum servis suis.	δια τουτο ωμοιωθη η βασιλεια των ουρανων ανθρωπω βασιλει ος ηθελησεν συναραι λογον μετα των δουλων αυτου
24.	And when he had begun to take the account, one was brought to him, that owed him ten thousand talents.	Et cum cœpisset rationem ponere, oblatus est ei unus, qui debebat ei decem millia talenta.	αρξαμενου δε αυτου συναιρειν προσηνεχθη αυτω εις οφειλετης μυριων ταλαντων
25.	And as he had not wherewith to pay it, his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made.	Cum autem non haberet unde redderet, jussit eum dominus ejus venundari, et uxorem ejus, et filios, et omnia quæ habebat, et reddi.	μη εχοντος δε αυτου αποδουναι εκελευσεν αυτον ο κυριος αυτου πραθηναι και την γυναικα αυτου και τα τεκνα και παντα οσα ειχεν και αποδοθηναι
26.	But that servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.	Procidens autem servus ille, orabat eum, dicens : Patientiam habe in me, et omnia reddam tibi.	πεσων ουν ο δουλος προσεκυνει αυτω λεγων κυριε μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και παντα σοι αποδωσω
27.	And the lord of that servant being moved with pity, let him go and forgave him the debt.	Misertus autem dominus servi illius, dimisit eum, et debitum dimisit ei.	σπλαγχνισθεις δε ο κυριος του δουλου εκεινου απελυσεν αυτον και το δανειον αφηκεν αυτω
28.	But when that servant was gone out, he found one of his fellow servants that owed him an hundred pence: and laying hold of him, throttled him, saying: Pay what thou owest.	Egressus autem servus ille invenit unum de conservis suis, qui debebat ei centum denarios : et tenens suffocavit eum, dicens : Redde quod debes.	εξελθων δε ο δουλος εκεινος ευρεν ενα των συνδουλων αυτου ος ωφειλεν αυτω εκατον δηναρια και κρατησας αυτον επνιγεν λεγων αποδος μοι ει τι οφειλεις
29.	And his fellow servant falling down, besought him, saying: Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.	Et procidens conservus ejus, rogabat eum, dicens : Patientiam habe in me, et omnia reddam tibi.	πεσων ουν ο συνδουλος αυτου εις τους ποδας αυτου παρεκαλει αυτον λεγων μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και αποδωσω σοι
30.	And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he paid the debt.	Ille autem noluit : sed abiit, et misit eum in carcerem donec redderet debitum.	ο δε ουκ ηθελεν αλλα απελθων εβαλεν αυτον εις φυλακην εως ου αποδω το οφειλομενον
31.	Now his fellow servants seeing what was done, were very much grieved, and they came and told their lord all that was done.	Videntes autem conservi ejus quæ fiebant, contristati sunt valde : et venerunt, et narraverunt domino suo omnia quæ facta fuerant.	ιδοντες δε οι συνδουλοι αυτου τα γενομενα ελυπηθησαν σφοδρα και ελθοντες διεσαφησαν τω κυριω εαυτων παντα τα γενομενα
32.	Then his lord called him; and said to him: Thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me:	Tunc vocavit illum dominus suus : et ait illi : Serve nequam, omne debitum dimisi tibi quoniam rogasti me :	τοτε προσκαλεσαμενος αυτον ο κυριος αυτου λεγει αυτω δουλε πονηρε πασαν την οφειλην εκεινην αφηκα σοι επει παρεκαλεσας με
33.	Shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fellow servant, even as I had compassion on thee?	nonne ergo oportuit et te misereri conservi tui, sicut et ego tui misertus sum ?	ουκ εδει και σε ελεησαι τον συνδουλον σου ως και εγω σε ηλεησα
34.	And his lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he paid all the debt.	Et iratus dominus ejus tradidit eum tortoribus, quoadusque redderet universum debitum.	και οργισθεις ο κυριος αυτου παρεδωκεν αυτον τοις βασανισταις εως ου αποδω παν το οφειλομενον αυτω
35.	So also shall my heavenly Father do to you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your hearts.	Sic et Pater meus cælestis faciet vobis, si non remiseritis unusquisque fratri suo de cordibus vestris.	ουτως και ο πατηρ μου ο επουρανιος ποιησει υμιν εαν μη αφητε εκαστος τω αδελφω αυτου απο των καρδιων υμων τα παραπτωματα αυτων
	Matthew 19
1.	AND it came to pass when Jesus had ended these words, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judea, beyond Jordan.	Et factum est, cum consumasset Jesus sermones istos, migravit a Galilæa, et venit in fines Judææ trans Jordanem,	και εγενετο οτε ετελεσεν ο ιησους τους λογους τουτους μετηρεν απο της γαλιλαιας και ηλθεν εις τα ορια της ιουδαιας περαν του ιορδανου